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What the heck happened to Tom Sestito?

What the heck happened to Tom Sestito?

In 2013-14, Tom Sestito had his best season in the NHL. He played 77 games, he had nine points (a career high!) and amassed 213 penalty minutes, which was of course why he was in the employ of the Vancouver Canucks.

That was the season when he picked up 27 PIMs in one second of ice time, which is a hell of a thing.

But then John Tortorella was fired along with GM Mike Gillis. A completely new regime took over, and suddenly Sestito wasn’t in the plans any longer. He was a frequent healthy scratch this season, before being demoted to AHL Utica.

“I haven’t been given a fair shake here yet. It’s [head coach Willie Desjardins’] team, he’s the coach,” he said.

His AHL stint didn’t last all that long, as the Canucks announced in February “that forward Tom Sestito will not play for either club for the remainder of this season. Sestito will workout on his own and will continue to receive his salary while the Canucks work to identify a new club where he can continue his career.”

And that trade never happened, because the market for minor league enforcers ain’t what it used to be.

So what’s he up to now? Well, he’s back in Rome, NY, preparing for the offseason. He’s claiming a back injury led to his demise with the Canucks. And he’s vowing REVENGE ON THOSE WHO HAVE FORESAKEN HIM!

From Syracuse.com:

"I took a break. It took a toll on the ol' mind. I got freshened up. It was good for me,'' he said of the layoff. "I think it was just time to go our separate ways. They put that option on the table. I think it worked out for the best for both sides. They wanted to play their younger guys.''

While he tries to remain diplomatic, that's a hat that poorly fits the straight-shooting Sestito. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he makes clear he hopes to sign with a Western Conference team.

All the better to bump into the Canucks a few times.

"I will be back. And I have stuff to prove against them,'' he said. "I didn't get a chance to prove myself. I definitely deserved better. I got put in a bad situation. … I know why they did it. They had their guys. I just think there's certain games I could have played. It's a business. I understand it. They just had their own way they wanted to see their team and I wasn't a part. I don't have hard feelings against Vancouver. I just want to make sure they know they made the wrong choice.''

Failing that comeback bid, please remember that Sestito could have a future in political commentary.

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